First Special Olympics Program Held Here Saturday
May 1, 1975
THE SIERRA ARMY DEPOT COLOR GUARD, commanded by Sgt. Kellog, leads a parade of participants in the first Lassen County Special Olympics for the Developmentally Disabled held Saturday, April 19, at Arnold Field.
The event was sponsored by the Lassen County Coordinating Council for the Developmentally Disabled and involved 62 participants from four local schools and the Susanville Activity Center. Many of the place winners in Saturday’s meet will advance to the Regional Special Olympics to be held Saturday, May 3, in Redding.
Pictured behind the color guard from left are special education students from Janesville School, McKinley School, Lassen High and students from the Susanville Activity Center. (Schullo photo).
Special education classes from Janesville, McKinley, Diamond View School and Lassen High as well as students from the Susanville Activity Center participated in the Special Olympics, the purpose of which is to contribute to the physical, social and psychological development of the disabled.
Following the presentation of Colors in front of the grandstand and the singing of the National Anthem, the Olympic Oath was repeated by the participants and the invocation was given by Fr. William Moran, Pastor of the Sacred Heart Church. City Councilman Fred Metz made some introductory comments and officially opened the Olympics.
The Special Honored Guest of Saturday’s Special Olympics was Mrs. Ann Taggart of Fresno, who along with her late husband Elmer (Tom) Taggart were pioneers in Lassen County’s efforts to help the developmentally disabled.
The Taggarts came to Susanville about 38 years ago. They have two daughters including one in Fresno with whom Mrs. Taggart now makes her home and one in Sparks, Nev., who is the mother of a developmentally disabled child. It was because of this grandchild who lived many years with the Taggarts that they became so deeply involved in a better way of life for the developmentally disabled.
